| Company profile


Rogun: redefining the limits of dam engineering


At the global scale, one of Gruner’s most significant current involvements is the Rogun hydropower project in Tajikistan. Once completed, the Rogun Dam will reach a height of 335m, making it the tallest dam in the world. Originally initiated during the Soviet era, the Rogun project combines legacy infrastructure with newly designed powerhouse extensions and modern safety systems. Construction is progressing while power generation is already partially operational, requiring complex sequencing and high levels of coordination between engineering teams and plant operators. “Rogun represents the type of integrated challenge that defines modern hydropower engineering,” Camilletti explains. “It involves geology, hydraulics, structural design, operational continuity and long-term system planning – all at an exceptional scale.”


Digital engineering Digitalisation is reshaping every phase of infrastructure


delivery, and Gruner has placed digital tools at the centre of its engineering workflow. Building Information Modelling (BIM) is now widely applied across hydropower and dam projects, incorporating 4D and 5D. Digital twins are increasingly requested by clients, particularly for electrical installations and hydropower plants, enabling asset owners to improve operational planning, predictive maintenance and performance optimisation. Beyond modelling, the company is investing heavily in artificial intelligence and advanced data analytics. Hydrology, flood forecasting and sediment transport modelling are key application areas where machine learning techniques are delivering new insights. The company has a number of tools it utilises. The


Tethys inflow forecasting platform supports basin- scale hydrological prediction, while CRUEX++ enables improved estimation of extreme flood events under changing climate conditions. Meanwhile, the HYPOS sediment management framework helps operators optimise reservoir performance and extend asset lifespan. “These tools allow us to move from static design


towards adaptive infrastructure management,” Camilletti says. “They also support climate resilience by improving decision-making under uncertainty.”


Basin-scale collaboration A further example of Gruner’s systems-based approach


is its involvement in the Enguri Hydrology Initiative in Georgia. Working alongside hydropower operators and academic partners, the programme focuses on improving understanding of river basin behaviour, sediment transport and hydrological forecasting across a major hydropower cascade. By combining operational data, advanced modelling and stakeholder collaboration, the initiative supports better reservoir management and long-term plant performance. According to Camilletti, such basin-scale projects are becoming increasingly important as climate variability intensifies and water resource management becomes more complex.


Sustainability embedded in design For Gruner, sustainability extends far beyond carbon-


free electricity generation. Environmental protection, community engagement and material efficiency are increasingly embedded within project design. In dam engineering, structural optimisation plays a


crucial role in reducing embodied carbon. By designing thinner concrete sections and more efficient geometries, engineers can significantly reduce material use while maintaining the highest safety standards. “Historically, these optimisations were driven by cost,” Camilletti explains. “Today, sustainability is an equally important driver.”


Sediment management, ecological flows and river


system continuity are also growing priorities. Gruner supports clients in adapting hydropower assets to stricter environmental regulations, including sediment flushing systems, fish passage facilities and adaptive reservoir operation strategies.


Long-term partnerships Hydropower infrastructure is built to last decades and


Gruner applies the same long-term thinking to client relationships. The company frequently works with the same utilities and authorities across multiple project cycles, spanning rehabilitation, expansion and new development phases. “We operate in a conservative, safety-critical sector,” Camilletti says. “Reputation and trust are fundamental. We view every project as a partnership rather than a transaction.” This philosophy extends across political cycles and national boundaries, allowing the company to maintain continuity on major infrastructure programmes regardless of changing external conditions. Strong links with academic institutions remain central


to Gruner’s innovation strategy. Collaboration with Swiss research centres, including EPFL in Lausanne, allows advanced research in hydrology, geotechnics and structural mechanics to be translated into applied engineering solutions. Internally, structured training programmes ensure staff remain up to date with digital tools, modelling techniques and project management practices. These efforts are supported by ISO 9001-certified quality management systems, structured technical peer reviews and dedicated leadership oversight, reinforcing the company’s long-standing reputation for reliability and safety-critical engineering. Looking ahead, Camilletti believes the demand for


resilient infrastructure, grid stabilisation and climate- adaptive water management will continue to grow. “Our opportunity lies in combining engineering heritage with digital innovation and sustainability,” he concludes. “Hydropower will remain essential – not just for power generation, but as the backbone of integrated, low-carbon energy systems.”


www.waterpowermagazine.com | February/March 2026| 15


Above and below: Spitallamm dam, Switzerland


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